Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorders
Many adults with ADHD also have comorbid disorders, such as major depressive disorder (Kessler and colleagues, 2006). Many patients are not responsive to medication for depression and may be able to benefit from psychotherapy.
Treatments that are most effective in reducing the most fundamental symptoms of ADHD appear to increase and regulate levels of certain neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals. Commonly prescribed stimulants include amphetamine, methylphenidate and similar drugs.
Medications
Many medications that are used to treat ADHD in children can be used on adults. However, the dosages are different and the medications can cause negative side effects that aren't common in children. A doctor will consider the individual's medical history as well as family history and other health issues to determine what medication is the best for him or her.
The most popular kind of ADHD medication is stimulant and is used to regulate levels of two chemical messengers within the brain, norepinephrine as well as dopamine. Stimulants like methylphenidate (also known as Adderall) and dextroamphetamine enhance the supply of neurotransmitters, which help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and decrease aggression. They are available in a variety of forms, including chewable tablets, liquids and skin patches. Long-acting versions of these stimulants are more effective because they lead to more patient compliance and lasting, smoother improvement in symptoms.
It is important to remember that co-existing conditions like depression and anxiety disorders can alter the effectiveness of ADHD medication. Therefore, it is recommended that mental health issues be treated first, and then medication utilized as a secondary measure. Some medications that can be used to treat comorbid mood disorders include atomoxetine and bupropion and tricyclic antidepressants (Wilens 2004).).
Some patients may exhibit some patients may experience a "rebound" effect in which they experience an increase in ADHD symptoms after stopping stimulant medication. In these instances, a short-term trial of the use of a low dose stimulant medication could be helpful.
Some people are unable tolerate stimulant medication or cannot use it due to drug misuse or other health conditions like heart or hypertension problems that are severe. In these cases, nonstimulant medications such as atomoxetine (Strattera) and viloxazine (Qelbree) can be effective. These medications don't cause the same adverse effects as stimulants, and they are less likely to be misused or misused.
Psychotherapy
People with ADHD can benefit from psychotherapy (talk therapy). It can help people with ADHD to improve their lives, deal with stress and anxiety, manage conflicts, or deal with issues at work or in relationships. It can also aid with co-existing mental illnesses like depression and substance abuse disorders.
Talk therapies include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as well as mind-body cognitive therapy and schema therapy. These therapies are based on the notion that a person's beliefs and thoughts influence how they feel, think and act. CBT assists a person to recognize negative behaviors and thinking patterns, then develops and implements positive strategies to alter them. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy employs meditation techniques to help a person learn to focus on their thoughts and emotions, manage their impulses and improve their executive functioning. Schema therapy, as well as other forms of psychotherapy that concentrate on a person’s family history could be beneficial for people with ADHD.
Psychotherapy, in addition to medication, can aid with specific ADHD issues, like difficulty keeping up with schoolwork or interacting with other people. It can also assist with forgetting important dates and responsibilities, and making impulsive decisions that can lead to financial and legal problems. Psychotherapy can also help individuals to address and resolve issues that may contribute to their ADHD symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Psychotherapy can help someone develop healthy coping strategies and reduce stress through exercises, sleep improvement and healthy eating habits. It can also provide assistance to the family member or spouse who is struggling with the negative effects ADHD affects their relationship. Therapy for families and marriage helps families and couples learn to communicate better and manage ADHD symptoms together.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on transforming the negative patterns of thinking that clients have. It involves a skill-based dialog with a mental health professional to address the root causes of the symptoms. The aim of this treatment is to correct the limitations and implement coping strategies that fit with the person's everyday life.
Therapists who specialize in adult ADHD-CBT show clients how to identify unhelpful thoughts and help them develop skills to replace them with more productive thoughts. This process can take a long time. However, it's a good alternative for adults who do not receive enough relief from medication.
A recent RCT study concluded that when paired with medication, CBT is superior to CBT on its own in reducing core symptoms, emotional symptoms self-esteem, and social functioning of adults with ADHD (Clarke et al., 2017). CBT coupled with methylphenidate could be particularly effective for those who suffer from more serious underlying issues.
The therapists that provide this kind of treatment usually work with the client to create an action plan that is specific to addressing their problems. They usually teach them a series of practical skills that are easy to apply and have a good chance of being successful. Charts are often used to monitor progress, and reward positive behaviors. This could include the daily report of a child that outlines the tasks they are required to complete at school, or the positive behavior that must be demonstrated, and a system of monitoring and rewarding. Therapists may also discuss the possibility that negative consequences could be inflicted upon a child who isn't able to finish their work. This can be done with sensitivity and support.
Metacognitive Therapy
A newer type of therapy, metacognitive therapy assists individuals in changing how they think. This type of treatment can be beneficial for people suffering from a range of mental health issues, including depression. It is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy which helps people recognize negative thoughts and their effect on their emotions. treatment for adults with add of therapy may also assist in the acquisition of psychological tools that are adaptable and beneficial.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between metacognitive capabilities and daily functioning in adults with ADHD. To accomplish this, we compared self- and informant-rated impairments in daily functioning to indicators of metacognition (comprehensive knowledge, regulation of cognition debugging, information management and evaluation). It was found that the comprehensive knowledge of people was linked to daily functioning in adults with ADHD however, the regulatory processes were not. The predictive power of a model with metacognition predictors was moderate, indicating that they can account for significant proportions of the variance in daily functioning of adults with ADHD.
Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a type of psychotherapy which focuses on changing dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs that perpetuate states of anxiety or rumination as well as attention fixation. MCT was developed by Adrian Wells based on an information processing model developed by Wells and Gerald Matthews. MCT has been proven to be effective in treating illness anxiety disorder. However, it is still an in-development treatment, and further research will be needed to determine if it can help with other disorders.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MCT in decreasing symptoms of anxiety disorder, but it can be applied to a range of disorders, and may be more effective than other therapies. It is important to keep it in mind that this is not a cure for ADHD, but it can be employed as an alternative therapy.
Family Therapy
In family therapy, the therapist works with the whole family. All members can better understand the client's needs and learn how to help their loved family members. It also assists them in finding ways to manage their own anxieties and improve their communication skills. Additionally, this type of counseling is useful for addressing comorbidities like depression or addiction to drugs, which are typically associated with ADHD.
The therapist will start with an intake session in order to better understand the family's perspective and determine if they're suitable for family intervention. This can be done online or in person. The counselor will explain to each person the nature of treatment as well as the rules for family therapy.
A therapist who has experience in treating adults with ADHD will ask a lot of questions to gain understanding of the client's present symptoms, their history and their impact on their work and family life as well as relationships. They will also inquire whether there are any other mental health issues present, such as depression or anxiety.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a kind of counseling that teaches you how to manage your behavior and change negative patterns of thinking into positive ones. It focuses on improving self-esteem and self-control by teaching you how to manage stress and anger. This is a short-term solution that can be utilized alongside other types of psychotherapy.
Individual therapy can help those with ADHD overcome emotional burdens resulting from long-standing patterns of underachievement, failure academic struggles as well as frequent job changes and relationship conflict. It can teach you coping and stress reduction techniques and teach you how to manage your time and money more efficiently. It can be used to treat other comorbid conditions like mood and anxiety disorders, which are often associated with ADHD.